Vanessa woke with a start. Her entire body tingled from a dream so vivid it felt real. She moaned, hugging her pillow. She was exhausted. For the last few days, she’d been unable to sleep, busy trying to figure out if Ralph had been right.
Over and over, she asked herself one question. Was she afraid of him? Her immediate answer was of course not! Yet the question nagged at her. Maybe she was afraid, but not of him. If anything she feared how he made her feel.
She’d been a quivering mass of nerves when he challenged her to approach him, close enough to touch. Yes, she’d boldly placed herself right in front of him. While he’d kept his hands to himself, she had been the one doing the touching. His closeness had sent her nervous system into high alert.
There was no question that she’d been…trembling with awareness. It was a struggle not to lift her mouth to his, to feel that firm, warm pressure of his lips against her. Who was she fooling? She’d wanted more than his mouth, she’d wanted him…every muscle-packed inch.
The worst was when he had brushed his lips against her forehead. At that moment, she’d nearly lost it. She’d practically given in to the desire to press her breasts against the muscles of his chest. It had taken all of her willpower not to rub herself against him. Talk about brain freeze. She’d been so needy, so hard-pressed for his body, that her nipples were aching, throbbing with longing for the heat of his mouth. She had no idea how she found the strength to resist.
Thank goodness, he hadn’t known about her struggle. It was clear to her now that she never should have slept with him. She should have gone through life not knowing what she’d missed. It would have been so much easier.
Now, instead of getting on with her life, she was struggling to get over him. She was being tormented by dreams of their lovemaking, vivid dreams that left her filled with yearning for more of his unforgettable brand of lovemaking. And she had brought this on herself. The blame was hers alone.
How could she have been so naive? She had honestly thought a single night in Ralph’s bed would answer all her questions. Well, it had done that, but it had left her longing for what she couldn’t have…more of Ralph Prescott. She felt like an addict. Yet he was worse than any drug known to man. AA couldn’t cure what ailed her. And she was not about to have her name added to the long list of women who had put their lives on hold in the hope that someday he’d remember their names.
She groaned wearily, knowing she wouldn’t be able to get back to sleep. Five o’clock in the morning. Friday…the day they were scheduled to go swimming and have dinner at his place. She was learning that regret was a terrible thing. And her regrets seemed to be mounting. Knowing she should have refused to go didn’t matter now. She could not disappoint the kids. They were so excited, talking about little else.
How had he found out her family’s likes and dislikes so quickly? After two visits, he knew that the entire family’s favorite sport was swimming. Lana was so good at it she’d trained to be a lifeguard, and the twins had taken their first swimming lessons when they were babies. It was an indulgence that Vanessa had been unable to deny, despite the cost of the lessons. Their family took advantage of the community center’s year-round indoor pool.
Vanessa scowled. Ralph knew the children would find his invitation irresistible. She pounded her pillow, wishing it was his face. They were going, but only this one time—she planned to make sure it would never happen again.
“Hurry, Nessa!” the twins called from outside the dressing room.
“I’m coming!” Vanessa was dressed in her old, faded, navy blue swimsuit. It didn’t matter that she didn’t have a trendy new suit, designed to attract a man. It wasn’t about that. With the twins, she didn’t have a choice. If they were in the water, she had to be ready to go in, just to make sure they were safe.
“I’ve got them!” Lana said from the hallway.
“Coming!”
Tucking a towel around her waist, Vanessa turned her back on her reflection. She’d had enough to worry about without focusing on how big her behind was or that her thighs touched when she walked. Instead she hurried out before she changed her mind and ran for the car.
“Ready.” Vanessa gave her family a warm smile, automatically taking Curtis’s hand so he wouldn’t go dashing out. Ignoring the nerves in her stomach, she said, “Remember, no running around the pool area.” It was less stressful and simpler to keep her thoughts on the children.
She’d been a ball of nerves since Ralph opened his front door and let them into his large, beautifully decorated mansion. He’d been dressed casually in faded jeans that hugged powerful thighs. A plain white T-shirt covered his wide chest, broad shoulders, and taut midsection. His feet were bare.
He’d showed them around as if Vanessa had never been there. The children enjoyed seeing the game and home theater rooms. When Lana asked why so many bedrooms, he laughed, explaining with so much family, and out-of-town friends, he wanted plenty of room. Vanessa was glad he didn’t show them the den…it held so many memories. Ralph had left them in the hall outside the dressings rooms.
Vanessa and the kids entered the huge, beautifully tiled, green-and-blue room, two of whose walls were floor-to-ceiling glass framing the Olympic-size pool. A set of French doors opened into the lush grounds.
“Find everything?” Ralph was already there waiting for them. He frowned at the towel around her waist.
Vanessa, busy looking around, jumped at the sound of his voice. Curtis and Courtney went off in peals of giggles.
She felt the heat of his dark gaze caressing along her throat, down to her arms, and lingering on her ample breasts. “Yes, thanks.” She forced a smile.
“Look!” Lana said.
Vanessa heard the loud squeal of excitement from the twins. They were practically jumping up and down as they stared with wide eyes at the huge waterslide at the shallow end of the pool.
“You shouldn’t have,” Vanessa exclaimed in disbelief.
“Why not?” Ralph asked from directly behind her. She shivered as his warm breath caressed her nape.
“The expense. And don’t tell me you did this for yourself. I know better.”
Vanessa, aware that the twins where right there, their little ears taking in every word, let the twins go over to take a closer look with a warning not to run. She waited until Lana followed the twins, intrigued by the rushing water.
Annoyed, Vanessa said, “Why would you do something like this? Wasting your money. Now I’ll never get them to leave.”
Evidently realizing she was really upset, Ralph said, “Vanessa, I can afford it. It really isn’t a big deal. I have a teenage cousin, Wayne, then there is Kyle, plus my two little nieces. I also have friends with kids. I like having my family and friends over.”
Vanessa nodded, aware that she was overreacting. Just the upkeep of this house probably cost more than she made in a year. How had she forgotten he was wealthy? She was surrounded by opulence. Dropping her lids, she found herself unwittingly studying the bold masculine bulge beneath his tight black trunks.
“Don’t…” he whispered huskily.
“What?” she managed to get out before she realized she’d been staring at his crotch. Her cheeks were hot with embarrassment that he’d caught her in the act.
“Don’t look at me as if you’d like another look at what’s beneath the trunks. If we were alone, it wouldn’t matter because there’s no doubt that I want you…badly.”
She blushed, forcing her eyes away. Before she could blink, he’d dived into the deep end of the pool and swum to where the kids were playing in the water. She was thankful the twins and Lana hadn’t waited for them.
“Come on in, Nessa!” Courtney called, waving frantically.
“It’s your turn to slide!” Curtis laughed.
The afternoon passed quickly. Everyone was having a great time. Vanessa found she was able to relax and enjoy herself. Like Lana, Ralph was an excellent swimmer. And all three children laughed at his horseplay.
Although the twins were hungry, they didn’t want to get out of the pool. Eventually, Vanessa was able to coax them out. Sitting in lounge chairs and wrapped in towels, Vanessa and the twins yelled at the top of their lungs as Lana and Ralph raced. They had dived into the deep end and were swimming laps side by side. While Curtis pulled for Ralph, Vanessa and Courtney cheered Lana on. Lana won, but Vanessa suspected Ralph had let her pass him.
Only because of their growling stomachs was Vanessa able to urge the kids into the showers and get them changed in the dressing rooms. Everything they might need—soap, lotions, stacks of thick towels—was waiting for them.
Ralph had gone up to his room to shower and change while Lana and the twins rushed to get ready and a thoughtful Vanessa took her time. She had not changed her mind. Unfortunately, she hadn’t had an opportunity to let him know this outing would be their last.
“You could get lost in this place. It’s so big,” Lana whispered, as they followed the taupe-carpeted hallway back toward the front of the house.
Vanessa nodded, keeping an eye on the twins. “Where is the kitchen?” She fought the urge to tell the children not to touch a thing as they passed cream walls displaying spectacular paintings and sculptured pieces done by prominent and talented African-American artists.
Lana laughed. “Down the central hallway, past the game and theater rooms…I think.”
Vanessa warned softly, “Curtis, slow down. There’s no need to run.” She was embarrassed because she should have been busy watching where they were going and not thinking of Ralph.
Turning to the right, Lana said confidently, “This way.”
They went under a wide archway into the spacious state-of-the-art kitchen, decorated in shades of beige and taupe. There were gold-and-brown granite countertops and a long center island. A large round, butcher-block dining table sat in front of a set of French doors that led out onto a patio.
“Anna and Mrs. Prescott did a great job decorating,” Vanessa marveled.
“Thanks.” Ralph grinned as he came in through the patio doors. “I bought this house as an investment, while I was still playing basketball for the Lakers. It didn’t feel like home until I moved back to Detroit.”
“It’s really lovely. Is there anything you need me to help with?” Vanessa asked, glancing at the large table, empty except for a crystal bowl of fruit in the center.
“It’s such a nice night, I thought we would eat outside on the patio.” When she smiled and nodded, he said, “This way.” He urged them through the double doors to a spacious redwood-planked veranda that curved along the side of the house.
Outdoor lights revealed redwood furniture cushioned in a maroon-and-green leaf pattern. There was an outdoor kitchen including built-in stainless-steel refrigerator, sink, and countertops as well as a stainless-steel grill.
“How about some volleyball?” Ralph asked, the kids agreeing before he’d finished speaking. He’d strung a net, low between two steel-anchored poles. A large basket of balls sat nearby. Soon Curtis, Courtney, and Lana were engrossed in the game.
“Come on. You can keep me company.” Ralph gave Vanessa’s hand a quick squeeze. While he worked, she relaxed in a lounge chair near the grill, her feet up as she sipped a glass of lemonade.
Not used to being idle, Vanessa asked, “Are you sure there is nothing I can do to help?”
“Nope. The potato salad and coleslaw are waiting in the fridge,” he said as he worked at the grill. Corn on the cob steamed in their jackets on an upper rack away from the flame, while thick T-bone steaks and steak burgers were sizzling away.
“I’m impressed,” Vanessa admitted. “I didn’t quite believe it when you said you knew your way around the kitchen. I haven’t tasted anything yet, but I’m impressed.”
He laughed. “I suppose it’s only fair to withhold judgment until after dinner.”
“When you do praise my expert culinary skills, and I assure you that you will,” he boasted, “my aunt is the one who deserves the credit. She is an exceptional cook. Why do you think Anna is a chef? Aunt Donna. She made sure all of her kids knew how to take care of themselves. We all had chores.”
“I’ve always thought Donna Prescott was a smart and talented lady,” Vanessa said sincerely. His aunt had a generous and down-to-earth way about her that had always made Vanessa and the kids feel welcome. Donna and her husband were genuinely warm, caring people. And their home was like a haven. Even though their children were wildly successful, it wasn’t about the money but the love.
When she looked up, Vanessa found herself returning Ralph’s smile as he flipped the burgers. For a few moments, she’d been so engrossed in watching him that she had forgotten all else. She was relieved when he asked if she would fill the glasses while he loaded the serving platters. She told herself she was more than ready when her family joined them at the table.
She didn’t need any reminding that Ralph’s devastating smiles and lethal charm were the reasons so many women were thrilled to end an evening in his bed. They were willing to take whatever they could get in exchange for an opportunity to reel him in. In return, he’d wine and dine them, then sleep with them. The sex was his ultimate goal. When he’d had his fill, he was ready to move on to the next pretty face. And there was never a shortage of women eager to play the game with him.
And in their case, Vanessa had gone after Ralph. She wanted to unravel the mystery of what goes on behind closed doors between the male and female. And she knew Ralph had all the answers…he was the expert.
She hadn’t been prepared for her once-tried body to take such a liking to his that she continued to crave his male attention. Only her pride had saved her from making a complete fool of herself. All it took was a look from his dark, hot gaze, and she was wet, ready for his hard length. It was shameful, the way she was constantly fighting her need for him.
For the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why he’d come back for more. She wasn’t egotistical enough to believe her lovemaking had gone beyond the ordinary. She hadn’t had a clue as to what she was supposed to have been doing. She hadn’t even known how to move…let alone give him pleasure. No, it could not have been that good for Ralph.
So why, then, was he chasing her? Apparently, he really resented the fact that she’d walked away before he made that same move. The male ego was evidently more powerful than she’d realized. The man was dangerous to any weak-willed, empty-headed female. Talk about trouble. So what was…
“More corn?” Ralph held out the platter, that blasted masculine charm in his dark eyes, and blatant sexual appeal all over his handsome face. Even his teeth were too even…too white…perfect!
Determined to be ruled by her head and not her hormones, she kept her voice cool when she said, “No…I can’t eat another bite.” Glancing at her family, she forced a smile, “Dinner was wonderful.”
“Great.” Lana smiled, wiping her sticky fingers on a napkin.
Ralph grinned but refrained from saying, “I-told-you-so.”
“Tired, baby girl?” Vanessa asked as she caressed her little sister’s cheek.
Courtney merely nodded, hardly able to hold her head up as she rested against Vanessa’s side. Curtis was no better. The chair was the only thing holding him upright. His dinner was only half-finished.
“Ralph, we’re going to have…”
His laugh was deep and throaty. “I can’t believe that Curtis, human dynamo, has run out of steam.” Ralph rose slowly to his feet. “You and Lana get your things. I’ll carry these two.”
“There’s no need. Lana and I…”
“Thanks, Mr. Prescott,” Lana interrupted, then remembered he’d asked her to call him by his first name. Blushing, she said, “I mean, Ralph.” Lana began gathering the plates.
“It’s my pleasure. Don’t bother with that, Lana. It was my turn to entertain and clean up,” he said with a wide smile.
Lana returned the smile. “Thank you for everything. We had so much fun.”
Vanessa was feeling guilty. Just because she resented the way he blasted his masculine charm her way didn’t excuse a lack of good manners. “Lana is right. Dinner was delicious. And we enjoyed the use of your pool. Thank you for inviting us. The twins really enjoyed themselves. Please, let Lana and me help, at least clear the table.” She reached for the platter of corn.
“Nope. No need,” he insisted as he carefully lifted Curtis. When he easily picked up Courtney, she rested against his chest, an arm around his neck. He started moving toward the open French doors. Lana followed them into the house. When Vanessa reached the foyer, Lana had their purses and duffel bags.
Ralph paused, surprising Vanessa when he said to her sister, “Lana, you’re a strong swimmer. You and the twins are welcome to use the pool and waterslide anytime you’d like. You have my cell, just give me a quick call to make sure I’m home.”
Beaming, Lana nodded eagerly. “Thanks, Ralph.” Excited, Lana squeezed Vanessa’s hand.
Resisting the urge to smack him, Vanessa said, “That’s kind of you, but…”
“I’m not being kind. When I’m in town, most mornings I work out of my home office. If I’m home, you and the kids are welcome.”
Steaming, Vanessa thrust her purse on her shoulder and followed the others to the front door. She didn’t say a word, even as Lana helped Ralph place the children in their car seats and fastened their seat belts like an expert. Once Lana was buckled into the passenger seat, Vanessa hesitated.
She had no trouble recognizing the satisfied smile on his handsome face, thanks to the light from the sconces mounted on either side of the wide door and the small torches lining both sides of the walk and the circular drive.
Vanessa said to her sister, “Be right back,” before she hurried toward him. She was careful to keep her back to her sister and her voice low. With her arms crossed tightly beneath her plump breasts, she hissed, “You haven’t won this stupid game you’re playing, Prescott.”
“It’s not about winning, beautiful. You have it all wrong. I’m not playing a game with you,” he said quietly.
“Really? You can’t fool me.” It took every ounce of her control, not to scream. “You are playing…a sex game. And you’re trying to use my family to manipulate me.”
He stepped forward until they were eye to eye. “No games…sex or otherwise. And I would never use your family in any way. You don’t know me well, yet. If you did, you would realize you just insulted me. And I’m tired of your insults.” He let out a deep breath as his eyes moved over her small features. Then he said, very softly, “Every time we’re together, I learn something new about you. Tonight, I learned that I scare you, and when you’re scared, you strike back.”
Dropping her arms, Vanessa glared up at him, her hands now balled into two small fists. “You know nothing, Ralph Prescott! Did you hear me?”
“Oh, yeah. Any louder, and Lana and the twins will also hear you, beautiful.”
She hissed, “Enough! Stay away from me and mine.”
He said, “Take a moment before you crawl into your empty bed tonight. Ask yourself one question…why are you so frightened. I guarantee the answer won’t have a thing to do with me. I haven’t so much as touched your hand tonight, beautiful. So why are you shaking?”
“I’m not afraid of you! And if I’m shaking, it’s because you make me so angry I can’t stand it!”
“Then why were you trying to hide under that stupid towel, wrapped around your waist? Surely, you don’t think I’ve forgotten the shape and feel of the delectable curves of your hips and thighs? Sorry, beautiful.” He tapped his temple. “It’s all up here, every sweet detail.”
By the time she whirled around and practically ran to her SUV, she was furious. Lucky for her, Lana was talking excitedly on her cell, and the twins were dozing. No one noticed that Vanessa wasn’t smiling as she drove away, refusing to so much as glance in Ralph’s direction.
Later that night, her temper had gradually eased enough for her to stop pacing her bedroom and get into bed. She was fed up with Ralph yanking her chain…manipulating her into seeing things his way. What she needed was a plan of her own. Ralph, evidently, had one. He was too confident, too sure of himself, while she was sick and tired of simply reacting to his moves. And she’d wasted enough time wracking her brain trying to figure him out and getting nothing but a headache for her trouble.
Turning off the bedside lamp, she couldn’t say she was pleased with her decision to come up with a plan, but she was determined. It was quite simple. Once she had her own plan in place, he wouldn’t be able to rattle her. So what was this wonderful plan? What could she do?
“That’s it!” Vanessa suddenly sat up in bed. That was what she would do while he ran around driving his fool self crazy.
“Let him!” Let him waste his time and come by every single day of the week…it wouldn’t matter to her. All she had to do was wait him out. Eventually, he would get fed up with the situation and bow out. In the meantime, her kids would have a ball, using his stupid old pool and waterslide. Vanessa clapped her hands with glee, smiling from ear to ear.
So, as Ralph’s impromptu visits moved from one week to the next, Vanessa found her tension around him disappearing. The kids certainly enjoyed Ralph’s attention. And she had to give him credit. He never came empty-handed. He either brought along a take-out meal, board game, video game, or newly released DVD that was always age appropriate.
Vanessa was proud of herself. While he thought she was caving in, she was merely waiting him out. Eventually, he’d get tired of pretending to like her and her family and not getting what he really wanted…sex. He was in for one long dry spell. And it would serve him right.
The past few times, while the kids and Lana had enjoyed his pool, Vanessa walked around in her new dark red bathing suit without trying to see if he was busy checking her out. Although she felt his gaze, she was relieved that she hadn’t caught him staring. Perhaps, it proved her plan was working…familiarity breeding indifference on his part.
So what if in the late evenings, after the twins were in bed, and Lana was upstairs in her room either happily chatting on the telephone or reading and watching television, Vanessa and Ralph actually talked about nothing important. He told her stories about his family, told her about his business. And she talked about her family, her growing-up years. Her dreams of becoming a designer and owning her own store. They didn’t talk about anything serious.
It was true that she’d often ended up laughing, as he recounted an episode of his growing-up years as part of the lively Prescott household. His family was exactly what they appeared to be, a warm, caring, and close-knit family, involved in each other’s lives.
Vanessa hadn’t expected Ralph to tell her about the volunteer work he did at the Malcolm X Community Center. Or his work, coaching at University of Detroit. There was no doubt, he genuinely liked kids. He revealed that he and his cousins were planning a big surprise for his uncle’s retirement next spring.
He’d laughed when he explained the latest effort to keep his Uncle Lester from finding out that on their old family property they were building a community center complex for the neighborhood kids his uncle had worked so hard, over the years, to help, and that it would be named after his uncle.
Vanessa was amazed at how full Ralph’s life was. He, in essence, worked two full-time jobs yet made time to do volunteer work. He believed in giving back. She was touched that, despite his full schedule, he found time to play with the twins and he listened to Lana and took her concerns seriously. Also she was shaken that she often found herself staying awake, thinking about him.
Vanessa had been surprised when Ralph started to end their evenings with a hug and the brush of his lips against hers. Then he’d walk off to his car, whistling like he’d won the lottery. He never asked for more. Yet while he held her, she felt the hard, unmistakable proof of his desire. He felt so good that she was beginning to worry that she might be the one to weaken and do the asking.